Re: Early Apple II paint programs?

[lachlan_arnott@my-deja.com]

> I'm working on a history of computer graphics, and I'm trying to
> make sure that no innovative platform is slighted. On Prof. Wayne
> Carlson's Computer Graphics timeline at:

http://www.cgrg.ohio-state.edu/~waynec/history/timeline.html

>   ...he says:
>
> "1983 - Steve Dompier's "Micro Illustrator" is first PC paint
> program (for Apple II)"
> Does anyone recall this? Does anyone have this? .........
> .....Any information would be helpful.


Interesting question. This one should provoke some lively responses.
I imagine there will be some debate on what minimum characteristics
are necessary to be considered to be a 'paint' program, as opposed
to a 'drawing' or 'business-graphics' etc. program ?

Anyway, here's an early contribution for you.

Neither 'The book of APPLE SOFTWARE 1983' (The Book Co. L.A., edited
Jeffery Stanton, Robert P. Wells Ph.D. and Sandra Rochowansky), nor
the 'APPLE II BLUE BOOK' of Software, Hardware, Accessories etc.
(pre-1983), mention Steve Dompier's "Micro Illustrator".

However, other 'Paint-type' programs are mentioned.  In particular:

MICRO-PAINTER by Bob Bishop. (Data-Soft Inc.)
This 'draw and color' package used a 'coloring-book approach'.

GRAPHICS MAGICIAN by Pelczarski, Jochumson and Lubar.
(Anyone from that era who DIDN'T try this wonderful program ?)
Penguin Software.

THE COMPLETE GRAPHICS SYSTEM  (Co-Op Software)
Created Hi-Res color pictures etc.

HIGHER GRAPHICS II  (Synergistic Software)
Created Hi-Res color screens, shape-tables etc.

ALPHA PLOT  (Beagle Brothers)
Another Hi-Res. Graphics utility package.

......  PLUS more.


Moral to the story, if 'Prof. Carlson' is suggesting that 1983
was the year that the FIRST paint/graphics-type program saw light
of day, then his research department needs an urgent overhaul.


> On a side note, back in 1983, I was visiting a friend who had
> a Apple II on which he constantly played "Space Eggs". He had a
> catalog from Apple listing various hardware and software. One item
> was the "Utopia Graphics System", a paint system written by Todd
> Rundgren. I've already checked with the Todd newsgroup and they knew
> nothing about this. Does any else recall this, or have a copy of
> this pamplet-sized catalog? Was this ever shipped, or was it just
> another of Todd's clutter of abandoned projects.
>
> Thanks in advance to any assistance.
> Chris Williams


Can't help much with this one except, once again, this program
doesn't rate a mention in any of the books I surveyed.


Cheers,


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